8.30.2010

Finding Roots, and Reconnecting

Do you ever feel like you need a second chance? I do... ALL THE TIME. There are so many times that I think back and cringe at the things I've done, how I treated people, or how I handled a situation. I wouldn't erase every single one of those regrets, but I often wish I was given the opportunity to apologize or "square things up". 

This past week has been a good one for me, because in some ways, I feel like I was given my second chance. I was able to reconnect with friends that I thought otherwise had moved on with their lives. Two of them, I have talked off and on with through out the last couple of years, but never really made time to get together. Last week, I finally had a chance for things to be like they use to be. No walls. No put-ons. Just friends. The biggest surprise for me though, was getting to meet up with an old friend from grade school. Now, this friendship ended on bitter and stupid terms. Thankfully we're passed whatever made us go our separate ways in the first place. I hope I keep getting opportunities like this. It makes the world so much more bearable, when you don't have so many walls up in your life.

I feel like this quote is a perfect ending to this post:
Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

8.27.2010

Update on Project: Quilt

I found the best website today for fabric! Usually I am scrounging for fabric, but this website had so many things I loved at a very reasonable price. I am still trying to figure out exactly what I want to do as far as the color scheme, but I found some options that coordinate with some of the fabric I picked up at Walmart. 

These are my black and white/cream options:
                                    

These are my brown and taupe options:
These are my green options:
These are my orange options:
These are my yellow options:

I am still debating if I want to add in a little red, but I haven't even seen anything that I like. Once I figure out what my main color scheme is, I'll add in blocks of solid colors. So as you can tell this is still a work in progress, but it's getting there. 

...I'll keep you updated...

8.26.2010

.:Closure:.

This is one of those more personal, but not detailed posts. Today was the last page of a book that was long over due to end. I'm finished with learning, listening, trying, and re-trying. After a roller coaster of emotions this afternoon, I finally feel like I can be done, and not wonder what if...

Liberated? Not quite. But I do feel like I can move on to something new. Have I made a fool of myself at times? Totally! But I tried so hard, no matter how retarded I made myself look. Was it worth it? Not sure yet.

This year, I have had to reflect a lot on the person I am and the person I want to be. I had to make tough decisions, one's that completely changed my life. I'm not sure at this point if "everything happens for a reason", but I do believe I was given the opportunity to learn from the situation.

I am probably not going to get this quote completely right, but it really hit home for me: "Change is on-going and inevitable, but how you deal with change makes all the difference in the outcome". I want to say it came from the "Especially for Mormons" book, but I could be wrong. I read this quote last January and think about it often. As I apply it to the last few years of my life, I can see how true that statement is. Nothing just happens. Making an effort, grabbing life by the horns, "just go with it",  or even the "maybe someday" complex all affect the outcome of change. Luckily for me, I don't feel like my life is pre-determined, so change is about to be a very positive thing to look forward to.

I have so much to be thankful for at the end of the day, which makes it so much easier to get over things like this. The best way to explain my new game plan is by the following...

"...solider on..."

8.24.2010

Quick Thought: Yep, Fall is in the Air

I got in my car this morning and read the thermostat, 66 degrees. Can you believe it? The air has been getting crisp the last couple of mornings, which gets me even more excited for the holidays to come. The timing is perfect, because I'm planning on going to Tia Pan this week to "look" at Fall decorations. I will use anything as an excuse to go to Tia Pan and Hobby Lobby. As soon as September hits, I will in the Christmas section scoping out the new arrivals. 



8.16.2010

Bing Crosby... Nat King Cole... and a little Dean Martin

I woke up this morning feeling Christmas in the air. I know it is only August, but I seem to always jump the gun on the Christmas season. It's tradition. I think this all started last night when I downloaded a new app on my iphone. What could it be? None other than the "Christmas Radio" app. I'm sitting here at work with my music beaming, and I keep getting awkward looks. Should I turn it down? NO! I will not! It makes me happy. So today I will enjoy the feeling "Jingle Bells" and "White Christmas" brings me. You can stick your nose in the air and think I'm crazy, but what does that make you? Yes, perhaps the word "Scrooge" comes to mind.

This brings me to my next topic, friends. I met one of my best friends at beauty school by talking about my love for holidays. Turns out she had the same love and obsession! We ended up being roommates for nearly two years and celebrated our crazy holiday feelings together.We weren't as bad as I am being now, but we had some great traditions. Fall Fest was arranged with the following activities: making "Throw Up" cookies (a la me), yummy muffins (made by Lindsay Lou), and Oh! the wonderful smell of Taco Soup! We took many rides to Great Harvest to pick up Pumpkin Spice bread, and on Thursday we met for lunch to pickup Spinach/Feta bread sandwiches. I think we even made a trip to Gardner Village to participate in a mystery dinner. That turned out to be pretty gay, but there were some good laughs. I miss those times! Growing up can be fun, but sometimes it makes relationships change. This post is in memory of that friendship and bond! I know she will appreciate it...

Here is a tribute to Fall and Christmas Fest:





And just for kicks... a memory of a late night...


Yes... That's right... Edgar!

8.10.2010

decisions, decisions...

I have gone back and forth on going to the Art Institute here in Salt Lake or in Dallas over the past two years. Well that time is coming to an end. I HAVE to make a decision this week. (Scary!). I have been on a horrible roller-coaster ride with Admissions, Financial Aid, the FAFSA folks, and anyone else I had to talk to regarding enrollment. Here is the scary part, it wasn't that they were telling me things that I didn't know, it was that I was asking questions that none of them had answers to. What!?! I can't be the only person that has questions about consolidating loans, payment terms, and what to plan for over the duration of school. Well after I was told "I don't know" enough times by too many people, I finally got answers!

As of this moment, I am going to apply for my loans. Where you ask? Well... I will let you know as soon as I know if I am approved for my loans.

8.04.2010

Project: Quilt


I have been shopping around for new bedding over the past six months. I haven't found anything that I am crazy about, so I decided I wanted to make my own. I am really into block quilts, but I want it to look more sophisticated than country. I went to Walmart of all places, and found some bolts of fabric that were $5.00 (what a steal!).

So here is my game plan: Some of the fabric was one solid color or muted, so I am now looking for some lace or sheer overlay fabric to add dimension. I am loving the color scheme of black, white, and yellow, but I want to add in earthy tones (like: taupe, various warm greens, and a little red/orange). I have a bold black and cream stripe, so I want to compliment it with an awesome textile or print. This all sounds very over-the-top by now, but I want something unique.

Now, I am not one to take others ideas, but the following images are some quilts that really stand out to me. They are a little more casual than the direction I want to go, but they have given me some ideas:
LOVE the yellow and black block at the top.
I want to stay away from traditional, but I love how they incorporated a floral design into a quilt.

I like the various black prints. I'm not a huge fan of the layout.
I like how they used various green and black prints.